Apropos of nothing - a random HP thought.

[ridicully]

Where does half the fandom get the impression that Harry is cheating by using a book with notes in it?

They are allowed to use their book while brewing and are supposed to have read up on the potion they are preparing in class.
And in written tests, I doubt they are allowed to use their books anyway, so the notes won't be any help to him there.
The only difference I see between Harry and a Ravenclaw (in this instance) is that the Ravenclaw would have made the notes himself - and probably not in the book, but on a spare bit of paper.

Having better reference material is rarely considered cheating. No matter how much of an advantage it gives you.

Comments

[accioslash.livejournal.com]

I may not think that Harry is cheating by using the HBP's book, but *Harry* obviously thinks so. Why else would he tear off the cover of the new potions book he ordered and replace the insides with Snape's old book?

[effseedee]

Because after he gets his new book he has to return the old one - he even notes as he's doing that if he gets found out they can't complain, because he's giving them a new book.

[accioslash.livejournal.com]

Yes, but that implies that he knew they wouldn't let him keep the old copy which is the one he wanted since it had all the notes in it. If he didn't think it was wrong for him to have the old copy he would have just said, 'here's a new copy, but I'm keeping this one since it's helped me get those good grades in class'.